How Many Sizes Can You Lose From a Tummy Tuck?

Dieting and exercise can go a long way to helping you get the body of your dreams, but sometimes, all your effort at the gym doesn’t get you to your body goal finish line. If that’s the case for you, it may be time to explore aesthetic options, such as plastic surgery. At Christopher Tiner MD Cosmetic Surgery in Pasadena, CA, Dr. Tiner is an expert in many plastic surgery procedures, including a tummy tuck to help you complete your aesthetic journey.

How Many Sizes Can You Lose From a Tummy Tuck?

One of the most common questions people have about this procedure is how much weight – or the illusion of weight – it can help them lose. The number of sizes you can drop with this procedure will depend on your gender. For women, you can usually lose two to three dress sizes with this procedure, while men can reduce their pant sizes by several notches.

In terms of weight, this usually translates to about five to ten pounds for people who have a minimal to moderate amount of unwanted fat. However, it’s important to keep in mind that while this procedure can help you reach the finish line of your weight loss goal and contour your body into your preferred shape, the treatment itself is not designed for weight loss. People considering this treatment should already have lost the majority of their unwanted weight.

Should You Lose Weight Before This Procedure?

This is a tough question to answer. The ideal patient for this procedure is within range of an ideal BMI for their age and gender, but this isn’t always a hard and fast rule. Many people who consider this treatment are comfortable with their current weight and do not plan to lose more than ten to twenty pounds after this procedure, but they are still usually qualified for this treatment.

Ultimately, the choice of whether you want to lose weight before you have this procedure will depend on you and your aesthetic goals. If you would prefer a tummy tuck procedure to be the final step of your aesthetic journey, then losing your desired amount of weight before this procedure is a good idea. If you’re already content with your current weight, then losing additional pounds may not be necessary unless it helps you qualify for the surgery.

Does This Procedure Make Your Waist Smaller?

If your goal is to achieve a smaller waist or a particular body shape, then this procedure is an ideal option for you. Yes, this procedure will help your waist be smaller and contour your body because it will remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal area. If you’ve struggled to tone and tighten your abdomen, or if you have stubborn belly fat, this treatment can create a tucked result that is more acceptable for your aesthetic goals.

What Does a Tummy Tuck Do?

A tummy tuck is one of the most common body procedures around and many people (both women and men) use this procedure to achieve specific body goals. This procedure focuses on three aspects of your abdominal appearance; unwanted fat, excess skin, and loose abdominal muscles, particularly for women. The main goal of this procedure is to reduce the amount of fat and skin around your abdomen, and also help you tighten abdominal muscles to achieve a slimmer figure.

When Will You See Results?

Like with any other plastic surgery procedure, it will take some time before you can see the final results of your treatment. For most patients, you will be able to see your final results about eight weeks after your surgery, which is also when your recovery time will end. But even during recovery and while you are caring for the surgical site, you will notice that your body shape has changed.

How Long Do Results Last?

The best thing about a tummy tuck procedure is that the results are meant to be long-lasting. When fat cells are removed from the body, they cannot grow back, so usually your results will last several years to a lifetime if you manage your body weight. That said, any remaining fat cells in your abdomen have the ability to expand to store more fat, so the best way to enjoy long-lasting results is to avoid gaining a significant amount of weight.

What Counts as Significant Weight Gain?

Did you know most people have natural weight fluctuations every day due to factors such as water weight, the weight of the food they are eating, and even their activity level? Even the time of day you take your weight measurement can affect what the scale says, which is why it’s best to take your weight first thing in the morning. For all these reasons, it’s actually not unusual for people who bounce five pounds up or down on any given day – and menstruating women are known to gain up to 10 pounds in water weight before a period cycle.

So, given that our weight measurement isn’t static, what counts as significant weight gain? In general, significant weight gain is any sustained gain of 10 to 15 pounds, such as weight gain that lasts for more than four weeks without dropping. You can also judge significant weight gain if your clothes begin to fit differently.

What About Pregnancy?

For women, there is another factor to consider when it comes to assessing the longevity of your results. If you become pregnant after a tummy tuck procedure, you will essentially undo the results of your surgery because pregnancy causes weight gain, especially fat in the abdomen. While you can always have this procedure again or incorporate it into a Mommy Make-Over, it’s generally a better investment to wait to have this procedure until you no longer plan to become pregnant.

What Is Recovery Like?

The recovery timeframe for your procedure will usually take about eight weeks, but some factors may speed up or delay your recovery. For example, if you are having a mini procedure, your recovery time will likely be shorter; likewise, if you are younger or you are not removing a significant portion of unwanted fat and excess skin, your recovery period will probably be less than eight weeks.

As to your activities during the recovery period, you will have to make considerable alterations for at least the first month after your procedure. For example, you will likely need to take two to three weeks off of work after your procedure and you will not be allowed to exercise for at least one to two weeks or until you have clearance from Dr. Tiner. We will give you a full list of your recovery instructions and restrictions after your procedure.

Will There Be a Scar?

This procedure is performed via an incision on the abdomen, but generally, the placement of the incision is made in such a way that any scarring is not visible or is easily masked. If you are concerned about visible scarring, please speak with Dr. Tiner during your consultation to learn more about what you can expect after you have recovered from the procedure.

Why Do People Consider This Procedure?

When it comes to cosmetic surgery, there is no “right” reason to seek a procedure. Most people have a body or face procedure because they want to improve their appearance in a long-term way, while others are motivated by increasing their self-confidence. People who seek this procedure are often motivated by a desire to lose weight or achieve a specific body image.

No matter your reason, increasing your confidence is an important reason to consider this procedure. Many experts agree that people who are happy with their appearance tend to make healthier lifestyle choices and feel happier overall. Both women and men who want to improve their appearance can use this procedure.

Feel More Confident

Although this procedure is not considered a weight-loss procedure, the fact of the matter is that you may still be able to lose several pounds or pant sizes with this surgery. In fact, most people can drop three or more sizes or the equivalent of ten pounds of unwanted fat from around the abdomen. And with this procedure, you don’t necessarily need to lose a significant amount of weight before you are eligible for treatment. Please contact Christopher Tiner MD Cosmetic Surgery in Pasadena, CA to schedule your consultation appointment today.